If you are looking for a quiet place to have a nice date with your sweetie, look no farther than The Wine Market in Federal Hill.
You may think you have stumbled into a large wine cellar upon entering the restaurant. Racks of wine stacked almost to the ceiling nearly block the entrance. One of the best aspects about dining here is the fact that you can pick your wine from more than 900 on the rack or choose one of the wines featured that night.
The restaurant decor was clean and crisp, with white votive candles in clear holders dimly lighting tables, giving the entire place a romantic feel. Each table seats two people ? perfect for intimate dates ? but they can easily be pushed together to accommodate a larger party. Twinkling white lights grace the walls, which are brick and covered with mildly colored art deco prints.
We ordered an Italian sweet red wine that went deliciously with our entire meal. For those who are used to casual dining experiences, beware ? the waitress is actually polite and knows exactly whatshe is talking about.
I ordered the grilled chicken Caesar salad with garlic croutons, while my date opted for the lamb shank with Andean spices, root vegetables and orange zest.
The salad was just the right amount to satisfy for diner. The garlicky dressing was drizzled over fresh, clean lettuce pieces that don?t require sawing through huge hunks of salad. The grilled chicken was juicy and the croutons crunchy.
My date?s lamb was served over fusilli pasta, cooked so the noodles actually separated when picked up. The orange zest gave the dish enough of a kick to be noticed but wasn?t overpowering.
But the best part of the experience by far was dessert. The hand-whipped chocolate mousse was rich, creamy and topped off with whipped cream and a thin layer of raspberry sauce, which gave the dessert a perfect little kick of tartness. A side of steaming Godiva hot chocolate and a small piece of chocolate frosted cake were served with the mousse.
All in all, The Wine Market has a wonderful atmosphere of casual elegance. If you are looking for a sophisticated dining experience without the snobbishness of a five-star restaurant, schedule your next date here.
IF YOU GO
The Wine Market, 921 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore
» Who you?ll see: People of all ages who appreciate a fine wine
» What you?ll drink: Wine
» What you?ll eat: Monkfish, herb-roasted chicken, lamb shank
» What you?ll pay: $50 ti $100 for two
» More info: www.the-wine-market.com; 410-244-6266
